Clinton spent a lot of time away from U.S.

Published Friday, March 16, 2001

WASHINGTON -- Bill Clinton made himself ''America's Best Traveled President,'' spending the equivalent of almost a full working year abroad on trips that probably cost more than half a billion dollars, according to a study to be released today by the National Taxpayers' Union.

Like Richard Nixon, Clinton spent more time in foreign lands during the year he faced intensive investigation and impeachment than in any other year, the NTU said. In 1998, when the crisis over his affair with a White House intern led to his impeachment by the House, Clinton went abroad for 45 days.

Nixon spent 22 days on foreign travel in 1974 before resigning as president that August. At that rate, the study said, he would have spent 40 days abroad if he had remained in office for a full year.